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Ecclesiastes 6

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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¹ Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, ⓗ and it weighs heavily on humanity: [1]

² God gives a person riches, wealth, and honor ⓘ so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, ⓙ but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy.

³ A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, [2] if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, ⓚ I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. ⓛ

⁴ For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.

⁵ Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he.

⁶ And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?

⁷ All of a person’s labor is for his stomach, [3] ⓜ yet the appetite is never satisfied.

⁸ What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? ⓝ What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?

⁹ Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. ⓐ This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. [4] ⓑ

¹⁰ Whatever exists was given its name long ago, [5] ⓒ and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one stronger than he. ⓓ

¹¹ For when there are many words, they increase futility. ⓔ What is the advantage for mankind?

¹² For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? ⓕ Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?

#	CSB
1	Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, ⓗ and it weighs heavily on humanity: [1]
2	God gives a person riches, wealth, and honor ⓘ so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, ⓙ but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy.
3	A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, [2] if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, ⓚ I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. ⓛ
4	For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.
5	Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he.
6	And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
7	All of a person’s labor is for his stomach, [3] ⓜ yet the appetite is never satisfied.
8	What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? ⓝ What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?
9	Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. ⓐ This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. [4] ⓑ
10	Whatever exists was given its name long ago, [5] ⓒ and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one stronger than he. ⓓ
11	For when there are many words, they increase futility. ⓔ What is the advantage for mankind?
12	For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? ⓕ Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?

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Ecclesiastes 6

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